Elite Competition, New Breeds and More in ‘National Dog Show Presented by Purina’ Thanksgiving Day on NBC Following Macy’s Parade

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Elite Competition, New Breeds and More in National Dog Show Presented by Purina Thanksgiving Day on NBC Following Macy’s Parade

Traditional Holiday TV Special, Hosted by John O’Hurley & David Frei, Features Over 160 Breeds

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2010 — The NBC Thanksgiving Day special “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®,” will crown one of America’s great show dogs as its 2010 champion on Thanksgiving Day while offering family-oriented features and introducing six new American Kennel Club-sanctioned breeds.

The holiday special (noon – 2 p.m. in all time zones) follows the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and is watched annually by a total of almost 20 million viewers. Over 160 breeds vie for “Best in Show” honors in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition, to be contested Saturday (Nov. 20) in Oaks/Valley Forge, PA.

The special is a celebration of America’s fascination with man’s best friend, hosted by John O’Hurley, the “Seinfeld” ensemble actor (catalogue king J. Peterman) and ultimate champion on ABC’s inaugural “Dancing With The Stars.” O’Hurley is joined by expert analyst David Frei, who is the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network and America’s foremost authority on the sport.

Unlike traditional dog show coverage, the two-hour special’s unique content is facilitated by the open format of the event, one of only five remaining “benched” shows in which the dogs are on display all day for the visiting public.

The show will spotlight six new AKC-recognized breeds, all of which will be making their major-event and national television debuts. The Icelandic Sheepdog, the Bluetick Coonhound, the Leonberger, the Cane Corso, the Redbone Coonhound and the Boykin Spaniel will be introduced to the American television audience as part of the family entertainment special airing on 200-plus NBC affiliates across the country.

Prominent TV personality Mary Carillo serves as the sideline interviewer for the broadcast and she will provide additional reporting at www.NationalDogShow.com, where judging of all the breed winners plus features and vignettes about the show can be found. The online stories will include one on the show’s Therapy Dog Ambassador, Rufus, the colored bull terrier who won The National Dog Show in 2005 and Westminster in 2006.